Brandon Sproat has been impressive throughout spring training, proving why he’s considered the Mets’ most promising young pitcher. However, Thursday night’s outing against the Houston Astros presented some challenges. Over two innings, he surrendered two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out just two batters.
It wasn’t a disastrous performance, but it also wasn’t enough to alter the team’s plans.
Following that game, Sproat’s spring ERA rose to 4.50—not bad, but not dominant. Despite starting against Houston, the Mets had already decided—he was heading back to minor league camp.
Patience Over Urgency
The decision wasn’t unexpected, but with injuries affecting the Mets’ rotation, there was a brief window where Sproat seemed like a potential big-league option.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns emphasized that Sproat’s road to the majors goes through Triple-A. Given his struggles at that level last season, the team isn’t rushing him.
“We want to see him have significant success at the Triple-A level, I think he wants to prove he can do that as well. Once we see that, we can start talking about when is the right time at the major league level,” Stearns said.
It’s a straightforward but critical approach. Just because Sproat has excelled in the lower levels doesn’t mean he’s fully prepared for the majors. Last year, he dominated High-A (1.07 ERA in 25.1 innings) and Double-A (2.45 ERA in 62.1 innings), but Triple-A proved to be a different challenge—he struggled to a 7.53 ERA in 28.2 innings.
Think of it like a video game: mastering the early levels doesn’t mean you’re ready for the final boss. Sproat still has more to prove in Triple-A, and the Mets want to ensure he does before throwing him into the deep end.
No Doubt About His Future
There’s no panic surrounding Sproat—nor should there be. His electric stuff and past success suggest he’ll figure things out. Once he does, the Mets won’t hesitate to call him up. And when that time comes, he won’t just be another arm; he has the potential to be a key part of the rotation.
For now, though, the focus is on refining his skills, adjusting to top minor league competition, and proving he’s ready.
The wait won’t last forever. And when the call finally comes, Sproat won’t be looking back.
